Cincinnati’s Oratory Celebrates

Oratory Father Mario Aviles (reading) with some of the concelebrating priests, Deacon Duy Nguyen, and servers. Left to right: Father John-Paul Bevak of Old St. Mary’s; Father Felix Selden, representing Rome; Archbishop Dennis Schnurr; Fathers Adrian Hilton and Lawrnce Juarez of Old St. Mary’s; and homilist Msgr. Frank Lane. (CT Photo/Gail Finke)

On April 25, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr celebrated the establishment Mass for the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Cincinnati, based at Old St. Mary’s Church in Over-the-Rhine. Known for splendid liturgies, the Oratory welcomed the archbishop, representatives from Rome, and supporters with new Officially approved by Pope Francis earlier this spring, it is the 87th Oratory in the world and one of only a few in the United States. Look for full coverage in our June issue.

Archbishop Schnurr, standing under the canopy built for the Mass, reads a prayer. Deacon Duy Nguyen, who will be ordained a priest next month, is beside him. (CT/Photo Gail Finke)Archbishop Schnurr censing the altar at the beginning of Mass. (CT Photo/Gail Finke)Father Mario Aviles, C.O., presents the Cincinnati Oratorians with the official establishment degree from Pope Francis. Oratorians, from left to right: Bro. Henry Hoffman and Bro. Brent Stull, both seminarians; Father Adrian Hilton, Father Jon-Paul Bevak, Father Lawrence Juarez. (CT/Photo by Gail Finke)Msgr. Frank Lane delivered the homily. To his right are some of the concelebrating priests, including the representatives from Rome and the Cincinnati Oratory priests. Also pictured: Fathers James Reuetter and Matt Feist. The painting depicts Bl. Cardinal John Henry Newman, an Oratorian and one of the leading figures of the 19th century English Catholic revival. (CT/Photo by Gail Finke)